In Brief
-
The CDP Summer Builder grant (crypto developer grant) offers up to $30K to African teams building blockchain apps with Base’s wallet, onramp, or swap API tools.
-
Applicants must show real utility, strong MVPs, and deep CDP integration to qualify for funding.
-
This grant boosts Africa’s Web3 growth by supporting impactful, real-world blockchain innovations.
Africa’s blockchain evolution is taking it to the next step, and your chance to build is here. Developers are the heart of Africa, and Coinbase, or the preferred term, Base, is giving developers a chance to gain the funding they need to build.
The Coinbase Developer Platform(CDP) Builder Grant program for Summer 2025 is finally live. The crypto developer grant offers up to $30,000 in funding to teams building real-world applications.
For African Web3 Developers, your chance to shine is here. The continent’s unique position gives innovators a plethora of choices when applying blockchain technology.
The CDP grants are your chance to turn your projects and ideas into a functional organization.
What Exactly is the CDP Builder Grants Program?
The CDP Builder Grants program is a structured initiative by Coinbase to foster the creation of practical, user-facing onchain applications.
A previous article showcased how Base’s Africa-centric approach caters to our ecosystem’s development.
This initiative exemplifies it by accelerating innovation using CDP’s core tools(Wallets, Onramp, SwapAPI).
The CDP team narrowed down the requirements for the crypto developer grant for Summer 2025, winter in Africa.
As per the announcement, this opportunity is keenly interested in working apps that demonstrate the following:
- Seamless Wallet Integration (CDP Wallets): How effectively does your application integrate programmable wallets? Think beyond simple logins and embed wallets in automated agents(DAO treasury distributor), payment bots, and novel user flows where the wallet is an intrinsic component.
- Intuitive Fiat Onboarding (Fiat to Crypto Onramp): Fiat to crypto is the main selling point, especially in Africa. Your program can prioritize leveraging Onramp to create smooth, intuitive pathways. Essentially, make crypto more tangible to any demography.
- Embedded Token Swaps (Swap API): Projects also trading tokens gain an edge over the competition. Integrating Base’s Swap API provides added perks, such as secure token exchange directly within your application’s interface. The program is keen on rewarding projects building in Base/Coinbase while promoting token swaps, especially within Africa.
Fret not—the scope isn’t limited to new apps; exiting projects with deep CDP integration are equally encouraged.
CHECK OUT:Base by Coinbase: Accelerate dApps and Stablecoin Remittances in Africa
Additionally, the crypto developer grant welcomes tools that enable other developers—think SDKs, plugins or templates that simplify CDP adoption.
While demand is high, there is still a limited number of developers in Africa. As a result, a functional Minimum Viable Product demonstrating your core concept is essential.
These CDP grants target builders actively coding towards a launch.
Funding, Eligibility and Evaluation: What You Need to Know
The total funding pool for this winter(Africa) cycle is $30,000, with individual grant amounts typically ranging between $3000 and $10,000.
This amount varies depending on the project’s stage, the complexity of its CDP integration, and its proximity to a live launch.
The deadline for applicants is already set to August 14 2025, and the winners will be announced on August 28, 2025.
Your projects must integrate at least one of the following core CDP tools:
- CDP Wallet API
- Onramp
- Swap API
Applications undergo rigorous review by the CDP team, scored against specific criteria with weighted importance:
- Product Integration (30%): Depth and sophistication of CDP tool usage.
- Impact (25%): Does the application solve a genuine user or developer pain point?
- Team & Commitment (20%): Demonstrated focus and capability to execute and ship.
- Execution Readiness (15%): Existence and functionality of a working MVP.
- Community Fit (10%): Willingness to engage in feedback and potential co-marketing.
Why This Matters for African Web3 Developers
Africa is a hotbed for innovation, and Coinbase has recently made its mark with initiatives like Base East Africa and Base West Africa.
The crypto developer grant is merely an added bonus to provide our rising talents with access to capital, addressing most startups’ financial hurdles.
In addition, the Coinbase Developer Program offers a range of robust, scalable infrastructure while leveraging on the reputation Coinbase has developed in Africa over the years.
CHECK OUT:Inside Base East Africa: Startups Revolutionizing Finance and Legal Tech
The CDP Summer Grants program it gives aspirants a chance to take their projects to the next level, giving them access to extensive documentation, demo apps, SDKs and a vibrant Discord community for support support.
It’s a chance to gain visibility, direct support and a focus on real-world utility, the latter driving blockchain adoption in Africa.
For those ready to apply for web3 development funding, the process is straightforward:
- Review Requirements: Carefully read the program details, focus areas, and eligibility criteria outlined on the official CDP page.
- Build Your MVP: Ensure you have a functional prototype demonstrating your core concept and integration of at least one CDP tool (Wallets, Onramp, Swap API). Execution readiness is key.
- Prepare Your Application: Clearly articulate your project’s problem statement, solution, how it integrates CDP tools (depth matters!), the impact it creates, your team’s capabilities, and the current state of your MVP. Highlight readiness to ship.
- Submit: Applications are submitted online via the official portal (Application Form), open from June 26 to August 14 2025
